In The Road of Bones, a Norse-inspired epic fantasy, our main character Silla is by herself for the first time after her father is killed while they’re on the run. Before he dies, her father reveals a secret that has Silla doubting everything she’s ever known - and running for her life. While travelling the deadly titular Road of Bones she meets the Bloodaxe crew, who agree to get her safely where she’s going in exchange for help on their mission.

One of my favourite aspects of this book was seeing Silla’s relationships with the Bloodaxe Crew grow, especially with Hekla (my personal favourite character!) who teaches her knife-work and self defense. There was great disability rep and the author doesn’t shy away from the more difficult parts of living with a disability, especially as a warrior, but the characters are still strong and fierce, and are never depicted as incapable. I thought that every member of the Bloodaxe Crew was very well developed, and their camaraderie was so vibrant, it was truly a joy to read.

Although Silla doesn’t become a badass warrior overnight, and her progress in training is slow (yet realistic), Winters makes it clear that her skills lie elsewhere. She is an experienced forager, and Silla is constantly gathering ingredients for the Crew’s meals, as well as herbs for balms and tinctures that she shares with the Crew as they travel. Silla was incredibly sheltered by her Father, and because of this, she is quite naive and doesn’t know how to navigate the real world. Those around her often grow frustrated with her, and she has a lot of hard lessons to learn along the way, but by the end of the book Silla is stronger, wiser, and knows how to stand up for herself and is on her way to truly knowing herself outside of the boxes that other people have put her in.

I do think that this book was slightly too long. There were a few instances towards the middle of the book that I found repetitive, where the Bloodaxe crew travel for a little while, Silla annoys Rey, the group stops for the night, Silla trains with Hekla, and then they do it all over again. I appreciate that this was a good opportunity to show Silla’s character development and her changing relationship with the Crew, but I think a few chapters could have been edited out. Despite this, things really heated up in the last quarter of the book, and it set the scene perfectly for book two. I’m looking forward to picking up the sequel!

This book / series has so much potential!
Potential spoiler: triggering tropes at the end of this review
This book set up and premise is amazing. It’s so intriguing and I was so excited to read it. The first 70% of the book was okay. The last 30% was good.
I like that both Silla and the crew have their own objectives but it felt that the crew’s mission got forgotten about and then needed a last little call back in the last 5% of the book. The tension between silla and Rey all the way through was amazing and I think set up a nice story line for the next book. I’m hoping that this can be an excellent series that gets better throughout

I did not see the ending of Jonas and silla to go from lovers to enemies in such an extreme way.

Trigger warnings: lovers to enemies (80% ish), drugging (80% ish) , drug addiction (throughout)

I was *so* excited to see that this book was coming to the UK, because I had seen it reviewed by US bloggers and it sounded SO GOOD!!! There are so many elements to love about this book: a softer female MC (who isn't a warrior, but is still battling things), a fresh setting, vikings, secrets, and a take on addiction, which isn't something you see in fantasy and I thought was so well done.

Silla is, quite simply, the every-woman. She has no special skills, she isn't a warrior, she didn't train secretly as an assassin, or suddenly finds that she can wield magic like a pro... She can cook. She is clumsy. But unlike other books (I'm looking at you, Twilight), she didn't come across as a blank slate. She is constantly trying and wanting. She is also battling inner demons and the fact that her life has suddenly been turned upside down.

There were only a couple of things I didn't love. Firstly, the middle of the book does drag quite a bit. There are large bits of the book where Silla is just... observing things and having conversations and nothing really happens. Secondly, some of the elements/conflicts have a repetitive nature. Eg., Silla gets caught in a lie, promises never to lie again, then proceeds to lie, gets caught in a lie... Rinse. Repeat. The issue with some of this in fiction is that it is absolutely true to real life– people do behave this way– but in fiction, it has the potential to elicit a giant eye roll. Finally, **potential spoiler** the behaviour of the love interest shifts quite abruptly and it didn't ring entirely true. I mean, people were warning her about him the whole time, but I took it to mean he was a player, not a psycho.

All this aside, I loved Road of Bones. The ending (by which I mean the last quarter of the book) was incredibly strong: unique, twisty, heart-rending, epic, and this is also where we saw Silla hit back, rather than just running. The supporting characters are varied and unique, the world-building richly realised, and I can see Silla becoming an absolute badass as her story moves forward. I will definitely be picking up book two and I can't wait to see what else Demi Winters creates.

I confess it took me a while to get into The Road of Bones but I'm glad I did. I liked Silla's growth throughout the novel. There were two love interests but I didn't particularly like one so without spoilers I'm glad it played out the way it did.

I loved the TV show Vikings/ Vikings Valhalla so I really appreciated the viking setting. The Fantasy and Romance elements were very well balanced.

I would recommend this for fellow lovers of Vikings and also Danielle L Jensen's A Fate Inked in Blood.

*Thank you Netgalley and Orion Publishing for gifting me this book in exchange for an honest review*

This book had me straight away, I really love the back and forth banter and tension between the main characters. I was interested in the story line and I liked all the characters.

One thing I wish there was more of, was world building. I'd like to know more about the royals, how do people feel about them, what are they like, is there any political conflict. Then the magic, why are people with magic treated that way, why do some have it and others don't, what are the different types.

I suppose the book lacks this because the main character doesn't really know this herself, but where we read from others POV there was potential for more information about the world to come out.

Overall I enjoyed the book the start and the ending had been really interested, with only a slight lull in the middle.

FMC: 20
MMCs: twenties

A captivating new world, characters that you just root for, and an end game goal that is hidden behind challenges and obstacles aplenty. This was right up my street!

Due to health issues cannot write a proper review now
A more extensive review will follow. Many thanks to the publisher

Romantasy set amongst the vikings? Say no more! I loved this book so much. It felt like such a fresh take on this genre. It started off a little slow for me, just me trying to figure out what was going on, but then it ramped up and left me so eager for Book 2 next year. I think the magic system could use a little more explaining but I have a feeling we'll dive deeper into that in the second book. I would highly recommend this book (and have been)!

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
First of all, I struggled to read this book only because the format that I got was terrible. I had to keep zooming in and that's the only reason why it took me so long to finish the book.
I was drawn to the viking story, not having read one before and from the first page I was transported. The language used, the descriptions used and the world building were all spot on. There was nothing that pulled me out of the world, no random modern saying or description.
Silla is our FMC. She and her father are in hiding, although it takes a long time to figure out why that is. Tragedy strikes and Silla finds herself on her own before she ends up on the Blood Axe Crew's wagon. Coming behind her is an assassin, Skraeda, sent by the queen who has magic and isn't afraid to use it. She's arrogant and cocky but with her own dark past.
Silla is a timid girl at the beginning of the book, quiet and desperate to make it to Kopa to survive. Her character development is so subtle because she is emotionally intelligent and just a good person, but she does become more resilient with the help of the Bone Axe Crew. I loved this found family but I won't comment on the romance... Enjoy that one because I know I did.
Silla isn't a badass and she doesn't turn into one overnight, or suddenly know how to fight effectively and I really appreciated that. She didn't just decide that she could do it on her own and end up failing only to have someone to come and save her. Her development was almost natural and completely believable. She fought her demons and to an extent, she won.
This book had everything I wanted, multiple POV's, violence, gore, romance, spice, adventure and secrets. However, everything was very slow at the beginning and the nicknames confused me a little bit at the beginning.
The book starts off a little slowly with the world building, which felt authentic and real, but came into its own and just kept throwing hits and punches that made my head spin... Did I mention secrets?
I will absolutely be diving into the second book because I HAVE TO KNOW!!!!!

Thank you to Gollancz and Demi Winters for approving my request for a Netgalley digital arc of The Road of Bones in exchange for a fair and honest review. I was excited to read this book as I do love a good book about Vikings, inspired by Norse legends and anything romantasy.

The Road of the Bones is a stunning epic fantasy about treacherous secrets, dangerous magic, ferocious unnatural creatures, and a perilous journey of survival with a band of Viking mercenaries called the Bloodaxe crew. Demi Winter's writing creates a vivid world inspired by Norse culture and mythology with high-stakes, dynamic pacing and rich, authentic storytelling. She crafts a story that not only entertains but also highlights the complexities of trust and survival in her harsh world. The world-building is majestic and sweeping into a dark, dangerous, wintry world – full of powerful magical secrets, fierce warriors, and eerie creatures.

Demi Winter does a fantastic job of creating a large cast of distinctive, inclusive cast characters living with disability and LGBTQ representation characters who are fierce, tenacious, and bold. I love how she crafts different types of characters, from those who are greener in the ways of life and the world to the jaded, bitter souls who've experienced pain and suffering. She crafts complicated relationships, dynamics, and interactions within her social order and groups, especially in the Bloodaxe crew, who have lots of flavours personalities that you can easily remember and find kinship with. At times, I felt the warmth and camaraderie come alive off the page with the members of the Bloodaxe crew as they share meals and banter in camp.

I loved how endearing Silas is as a softer-styled protagonist. She's been somewhat cloistered from the real world in her life before this adventure, meaning she can be incredibly naïve, a bad judge of people's intentions, a terrible liar, and makes a lot of awful decisions and mistakes. Cooking, making a fire, and trying to be invisible are her only life skills. Her character development is a steep learning curve: finding her inner strength, learning survival skills in the wilds, self-defense, standing up for herself, and how to interact with people.

A dark, rich adventure romantasy with forbidden romance, lots of curve balls, and surprises that will have you holding on to the edge of your seat with its rollercoaster ride storytelling style. It feels like one minute you're plodding along on your horse nicely, and the next thing it bolts, leaving you cling on for dear. If you loved An Ink Fated In Blood, Lord of the Rings, and The Last Kingdom, you're going to love The Road of Bones for its Viking spirit, diverse lore, and a company of characters bonded together in loyalty and blood

A completely absorbing story that ticks all the boxes - we have a strong female character I was wholeheartedly rooting for, secret magic, danger and action, a lovable band of warriors, and romance. I devoured this story, constantly on the edge of my seat and waiting to see what would happen next. Silla's in a real tight spot and it's difficult to see how things will be able to work out for her, but she is determined and charming and has managed to soften hearts with her charm and fire. Though The Road of Bones follows Silla's story, we do have a couple of POVs in there which I enjoyed, though my favourites were Silla's and the warriors. At times I was indignant on Silla's behalf and the story is so well written that her emotional rollercoaster was my emotional rollercoaster. This story really has something for everyone and I can't wait to see where Demi Winters takes us next on Silla's journey.

I received a free copy of this book. All views are my own.

This one started a little bit slower but once it picked up, I was really happy I didn't put it down. There was some info dumping and I had to try my best to remember all but that was okay, it's fantasy after all and what good fantasy doesn't require a notebook? I liked the banter, liked the characters AND most of all, I liked there was growth for all through the story. Definitely recommend to fantasy lovers.

Loved loved loved this! It was a solid 4.5/4.75 stars!

From the beginning I loved Silla's character and was rooting for her all throughout the book. I felt so connected to her and just wanted to go into the book and give her a big hug! She never gives up, no matter what happens and even when it feels like all is lost, she keeps positive and tries to find the best of the situation.

I really liked the plot and couldn't predict where the story was going to go. I also could not have predicted the ending so it'll definitely keep you on your toes.

I'm so excited for book 2!

I had high hopes for this one after reading all the reviews and I definitely wasn’t disappointed. It wasn’t a full five star read for me because it did drag a little in the middle but it definitely started with a bang and ended on an even bigger bang which made up for any pacing issues in the middle. It was much darker than I was anticipating, it was a little scary and had my heart racing at points which I loved.

I wish I had looked up spoilers beforehand like I usually do because there was a particular trope in there that is a pet peeve of mine, but this didn’t affect my rating as it’s a personal issue, not an issue with the writing.

I would recommend it if you love a high fantasy with a twisty mystery and an intriguing romantic subplot or if you've ever played Skyrim and loved it.

Thanks to Orion Publishing Group for the ARC ❤️

The Road Of Bones is the first book in The Ashen series, and I had an absolute blast! It's fast-paced, full of action with a well executed magic system, and I'm going to be highly anticipating book two because that ending? I actually need more right now.

Demi Winter's writing is impeccable. All of the characters are distinctive and have their own personalities, especially our FMC Silla. She's courageous and free spirited, although slightly naive, which means she makes questionable decisions. Sometimes, I definitely rooted for her and loved seeing her confidence grow.
The romance is not prominent, and it is slow burn, which I appreciate. I'm not normally a fan of the love triangle trope, but this really works here, and being completely honest, both Jonas and Rey are 🥵 with forbidden romance, knife to the throat scenes and "she's mine" possessive romance there's more than enough to satisfy the romance girlie's. The spice scenes are actually some of my faves in recent romantasy, too, so there's that.

If you're looking for your new romantasy fix, I definitely would recommend this one.
With found family, an evil queen, intrigue, and mystery and magic, there's something for everyone I can't wait to continue on with the series.

After watching her father killed by mysterious assassins, Silla Nordvig is trying to escape her dangerous past and the unknown secrets that come with it. She sets out on a risky journey to safety along the Road of Bones. Hoping to get a ride with a tough group of Viking warriors, she stows away on their wagon and has to prove herself when discovered. Along the way, she faces tricky alliances, dark creatures, and a love that grows even when it seems impossible.

Demi Winters creates a vivid world inspired by Viking culture and Norse myths. The setting feels like Skyrim plus Dragon Age, which I love. The scenes are beautifully described, and the fights are intense, making it difficult to put down. Getting used to the complicated society and the different characters takes some time if you are unfamiliar with Norse words, but there is a handy glossary in the back.

The characters are interesting and well-developed. Silla grows throughout her journey as she learns to balance her fight for survival with her inner strength. I love that all the Bloodaxe crew members are distinct individuals and some of them have disabilities that are handled with grace, love the inclusion! Her interactions with the Bloodaxe Crew, especially her complicated relationships with Axe Eyes and Wolf, keep the story engaging and the fight scenes are well-written and fun to read.

If you enjoy dark low fantasy or dark romantasy, "The Road of Bones" is a book that fans of gritty tales like *Throne of Glass* and *The Last Kingdom* will love. It’s great for readers who appreciate themes of found family, slow-building romance, and stories set in Viking-inspired worlds.

Themes/Tropes
- Found family
- Enemies becoming lovers
- Slow-building romance
- Brooding warrior character(s)
- Dangerous quest

Some content warnings: This book includes violence and gore, attempted sexual assault, emotional abuse, addiction, grief, forced drugging, captivity, and loss of family.

The Road of Bones is an dark viking fantasy full of romance and betrayal. Demi Winters has crafted an intricate and excited story that pulled me in from the very first page. I absolutely loved this viking inspired story and the world building was immaculate. I really enjoyed Silla's journey and I loved reading about her character development throughout the book.

The Road of Bones was a spectacular start to the Ashen series and I am highly looking forward to the second installment.

The Road of Bones by Demi Winters was a surprising and exciting read. This Viking-inspired, multi-POV story centers on Silla, who, after losing her father, sets off on the dangerous “Road of Bones.” Along her journey, Silla encounters the fierce Bloodaxe Crew, sparking unlikely alliances and clashes with mercenaries and monsters alike. Winters does a great job crafting distinct, authentic voices—Silla’s resilience shines, and the whole cast, even side characters, feel well-rounded and real.

The romance subplot adds a tender but intense dynamic without overshadowing the plot. The story's balance between dark themes and moments of levity gives it depth without slipping into grimdark territory. Winters' world-building and representation are top-notch, though some plot points were predictable, and the magic system could have used a bit more explanation.

An adventure well worth reading, especially for fans of complex characters, rich dialogue, and rugged, dangerous settings. I’m definitely looking forward to book two!

Absolutely fantastic read, already preordered the next one, had a good mix of world introduction and action. Potentially some trigger warnings around sexual assault

Copy of my review:

Someone recommended this book and so I thought I'd give it a go.

The first few pages felt similar to another book I recently read, which I loved, so I was a bit worried it would be a similar story. Thankfully it started going down a different path.
The story centres around a girl called Silla, though we do get different POVs from other characters throughout the book.

Silla finds herself on the run, trying to evade capture from the King's men as the Queen is hunting her. She needs to get to a particular town to find safety and this means travelling on the road of bones. She hides in a cart and gets discovered by the carts owners and has to convince them not to kill her but to take her with them.

A lot of the book focuses on this journey, where Silla makes friends, finds a lover and finds things about herself as well as evading capture and her travelling companions finding out she is being hunted and why. The book is slow burning and can feel it drags a bit at times, but the last 30% or so of the book is full action with many twists and betrayal.

It is the first of a series and does end with many questions unanswered but it was overall enjoyable and I look forward to the next book, where hopefully we get answers.